Why do I need to buy breast pads?

And that means that during this wonderful, and at times maddening roller coaster we call motherhood, our breasts can produce milk when we least expect it. When in a warm shower, or from one breast while your little one is feeding from the other, milk may come.

For most of us though, the impromptu leaking will normally stop in the first six to ten weeks after giving birth.

In the meantime, we have to try and tame our sprinkler imitating mammories and breast pads can be the solution. Just like nappies, you can choose from disposable or washable, and a range of prices and materials.

So we've picked some of our favourites to keep your clothes dry...

1 CupCake reusable nursing pads, £9.90 for two pairs - £2.47 each

Made from organic cotton and hemp, and fully washable and reusable, these soft breastpads are slim and discreet and have a waterproof mid layer.

These breastpads are award-winning, although, as they are cloth, they take a little time to dry and may not dry as flat as when they first came out of the box.

3 Lansinoh Ultra Thin disposable nursing pads, £4.55 for 60 - 7p each

From the company behind the leading brand of nipple cream, these disposable nursing pads have two adhesive strips to hold them in place in your bra, and are made with an absorbent polymer that traps milk and keeps it away from your skin.

4 LittleLamb reusable bamboo breast pads, £12 for 10 - £1.20 each

Presented in their own mesh washing bag, these woven breast pads from family-run company LittleLamb are made from two layers of Oeko-tex certified bamboo, with one layer having an internally bonded waterproof backing.

5 Close Pop-in reusable breast pads, £9.50 for 6 - £1.58 each

From the makers of the Caboo baby carrier, these reusable breastpads have a unique teardrop shape that fits the natural contours of your breasts, aiming to make them less visible.

They are made up of three layers: a fast-wicking polyester that claims to take away any wetness from the skin, the absorbent core is made of soya bean fabric, then there is a full layer of waterproof laminate.